Natural Birth: Answers to Doubts from the Midwife
Natural birth is a unique experience for the mother. Being able to give birth to her baby with her own strength makes the mother aware of her power and it is a great satisfaction.
You can read books, watch videos, and take courses, but you will only be able to fully understand this event by experiencing it firsthand.
In this article you can find the answers to the main doubts of every future mother by the Midwife Maria Chiara Alvisi.
What does natural birth mean?
Natural or spontaneous birth means a birth that occurs vaginally using only the mother's strength , that is, without the use of drugs or obstetric aids (e.g. a ventouse).
In fact, if there is an intervention by the midwives it would be correct to define it as an operative vaginal birth.
Certainly, it differs from a cesarean section which does not take place vaginally, but through the mother's abdominal wall through a surgical operation.
The stages of natural birth
We have defined the meaning of spontaneous birth; now let's see what happens during this event. However, birth does not only mean the moment of the birth of the child, but the entire process. In fact, we can identify 3 phases.
Dilating phase
The first phase includes all the phenomena that lead to the modification of the cervix to reach the dilation necessary to give birth to the baby.
This phase can in turn be divided into two others:
- Prodromal phase : it is characterized by contractions that are irregular in intensity, duration and frequency. It can even begin a few days before the actual natural birth with small contractions felt as a hardening of the belly. The goal of this phase is the flattening and softening of the cervix and the dilation of 4 cm.
- Active phase : occurs when a dilation of 4 cm has been reached and contractions begin to become regular. The goal of this phase is to reach 10 cm of dilation to move on to the expulsion phase.
Expulsive phase
When 10 cm of dilation is reached, contractions may decrease in strength for a limited time. This time is called the transition phase and is very useful for the mother to catch her breath and accumulate the energy needed for pushing.
In fact, after this pause of a maximum duration of one hour, the contractions return and the mother feels the need to push. During this phase of natural birth the baby passes through the vaginal canal to be born.
Secondation and expulsion of fetal appendages
The last phase involves the expulsion of the placenta and the membranes of the amniotic sac . The mother, after giving birth to her baby, will feel a final need to push and expel the fetal annexes.
How to Know When You're in Labor
As we have said, labor is characterized by the prodromal phase and the active phase. You will notice that you have entered the first phase because of the contractions that are perceived as more or less painful.
However, it is possible to notice the imminence of labor through some symptoms that occur even a few days before the day of natural birth. Among these is the loss of the mucus plug , or a significant amount of thick mucus that acted as a barrier to the uterine cavity from bacteria.
Another sign is the “ breaking of the waters ”, that is, the breaking of the membranes of the amniotic sac; therefore, the leakage of the amniotic fluid. At this event, contractions may begin immediately, but even if they do not start, it is necessary to go to the hospital as it is a reason for hospitalization.